The facts
What pink Sapphire actually is
Mineralogically, pink Sapphire is corundum — Al₂O₃, crystallising in the trigonal system.
The colour is caused by low concentrations of Cr³⁺; a continuum with ruby whose boundary is a trade convention, not a mineralogical one. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.762–1.770, and the specific gravity sits near 3.97–4.05; cleavage is none; parting.
Where pink Sapphire comes from
The recognised sources are Ilakaka, Madagascar, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Mogok, Myanmar and Montepuez, Mozambique.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How pink Sapphire is treated
Heating is routine and often removes a bluish or purplish cast. Beryllium diffusion is used to push pink towards padparadscha or orange-pink and must be disclosed.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What pink Sapphire is confused with
The usual confusions are Pink spinel, Morganite, Kunzite and Pink topaz.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.762–1.770 and specific gravity 3.97–4.05 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What pink Sapphire is used for
Pink Sapphire is bought by jewellery — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 9; cleavage none; parting. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What pink Sapphire costs
Indicative pricing for pink Sapphire is Commercial $100–$800/ct; fine unheated 2 ct+ $3,000–$15,000/ct.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is pink Sapphire treated, and how?
Heating is routine and often removes a bluish or purplish cast. Beryllium diffusion is used to push pink towards padparadscha or orange-pink and must be disclosed.
Where does pink Sapphire come from?
Ilakaka, Madagascar, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Mogok, Myanmar and Montepuez, Mozambique. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is pink Sapphire hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 9 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does pink Sapphire cost?
Indicatively Commercial $100–$800/ct; fine unheated 2 ct+ $3,000–$15,000/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is pink Sapphire confused with?
Most often Pink spinel, Morganite, Kunzite and Pink topaz. A refractive index of 1.762–1.770 and a specific gravity near 3.97–4.05 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for pink sapphire?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about pink sapphire